Buick’s Chinese arm has refreshed its Excelle subcompact sedan for the 2009 MY. On the outside, the 2009 Excelle’s appearance is partially inspired by Buick’s flagship model in China; the Holden Statesman based Park Avenue. The facelifted Excelle, which by-the-way is based on the Chevrolet / Daewoo Lacetti, also features a redesigned interior. Buick’s new Chinese subcompact sedan will make its public debut later this month at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.

Buick announced today that it’s expanding its 2008 Lucerne line-up with the addition of two new models, the Super and CXL Special Edition. Starting off with the Super, the top-notch Lucerne is powered by GM’s 4.6L Northstar V8 engine that delivers 292 Hp @ 6300 rpm and 288 lb.-ft. of torque (390 Nm) @ 4500 rpm. Aside from the V8 unit, the Super also features revised steering and suspension components, Magnetic Ride Control technology and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P245/50R18 all-season radials.

Today’s recall concerns 207,542 MY 1997-2003 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8L supercharged V6 engine. According to GM, engine oil can leak from the valve cover and migrate during manoeuvres such as hard braking. If by any chance the oil reaches the hot exhaust manifold, it may ignite causing an underhood fire.

Buick will take the wraps off a new luxury sedan concept that was designed collaboratively by GM’s centers in Michigan, USA and Shanghai, China at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. It is said that the Invicta may very well inspire the next generation LaCrosse sedan.

Following yesterday’s release of the Buick Invicta renderings here are the first live shots of GM’s latest concept that was unwrapped at the 2008 Beijing Show. Co-designed by GM’s American and Chinese studios, the Invicta is a luxury mid-size sedan that is powered by a 250 Hp 2.0-liter turbo engine.

A heavily camouflaged prototype of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse was spotted by Autoblog.com reader Mike rolling around in Troy, Michigan. The second generation LaCrosse that will be sold in the United States and China is built on GM’s new global front-wheel-drive Epsilon II platform which was first introduced on the new Opel Insignia.

Aside from announcing that GM will improve its economic situation through 2009 by laying off salaried workers, suspending future dividends on common stock, cutting truck production and selling many assets, the company’s CEO Rick Wagoner also let out the first photos of the 2010 Chevy Cruze, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Saab 9-4x and 2010 Chevy Equinox.

Along with the release of a teaser shot revealing the 2010 LaCrosse’s front grille, General Motors also announced today that the upcoming Buick sedan will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. According to GM, the new LaCrosse sedan’s exterior styling is strongly influenced by the Buick Invicta Concept that debuted at this year’s Beijing Auto Show.

General Motors will be sending letters to more than 944,000 owners worldwide, 857,735 of which are located in the U.S., due to voluntary recall that affects 16 cars and SUVs from 2006 to 2008. The huge recall involves vehicles fitted with a heated washer fluid system that could short circuit causing other electrical features to malfunction and lead to smoke or even fire. According to GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson, up until now, there have been three reported fires related to the problem. GM said that its dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge.

Shanghai GM, a joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has taken the wraps off the new Chinese market Buick Regal. With the exception of a few minor styling details like the new grille, the side air-vents and the addition of turning signals on the exterior mirrors, the Regal is in essence a rebadged Opel Insignia. Even though Opels are offered in the domestic market, GM execs considered that the Insignia would sell better as a Buick since -believe it or not- the American brand is more popular among Chinese consumers.